Opening a Bed and Breakfast business is a challenge against the odds. Indeed, unlike hotels, B&Bs are fewer facilities to offer their guests. For instance, while you can easily find hotels with a 24/7 reception, B&Bs tend to have limited opening hours. Indeed, the owners work around the clock to maintain their accommodation; with the best of will, they are unable to keep a member of staff all day and night at the reception desk. More often than not, you won’t find a reception desk in a B&Bs as the establishment is typically located in a large house. Additionally, B&Bs also struggle to satisfy special needs, such as offering business guests a conference room or providing a lift for guests with limited mobility. However, unlike hotels, B&Bs appeal to travelers who are looking for something out of the ordinary. They bring the personality, quirkiness, and friendly atmosphere that many hotel chains lack. As a result, while success can be difficult to achieve at first, it isn’t an impossible dream for B&B owners.
However, building a profitable B&B can lead to a tricky dilemma. Indeed, while hotels can consider extensions to the building or opening a new chain, as a B&B owner, your options are limited. Ultimately, you run a home in which you sublet rooms and provide breakfast to your guests. The next level up doesn’t include increasing your guest number because, ultimately, most B&Bs are little townhouses with no further space for expansion. There are, however, an alternative range of improvements you can bring to transform your guests’ experience and boost your reputation. However, you need to put your guests first and ensure that you choose solutions that will increase their comfort, their relaxation, their staycation, and their overall mood. Here are 6 ideas to bring your Bed and Breakfast business to the next level.
You could move to the green side
Hotels have the capital to develop a sustainable service. For B&B owners, renewable energy is not a viable option. However, you can consider alternatives that will help to reduce your carbon footprint and your environmental impact. If you have a garden, it’s a good idea to consider growing your own vegetables, using a 5000 litre water tank to harvest rainwater — which will act as your water supply. You can offer home-cooked breakfast with fresh and seasonal produce, which is guaranteed to appeal to your customers. Switching aggressive chemical cleaning products for organic solutions is another simple way of protecting the environment without putting your budget at risk. Additionally, guests are likely to notice the difference as the indoor air will be significantly cleaner. Finally, you may not be able to install solar panels on the roof. But you can switch your light bulbs for energy-efficient options that last longer and reduce your energy consumption.
You could get some help around
As your business becomes more profitable, you can afford to hire someone to help you with day-to-day tasks. Indeed, as a business owner, you need to be running all administrative and accounting jobs as well as keeping the place tidy and welcoming. Keeping an assistant can make sure that you can focus on your time on what you do best while someone else can handle the rest. Additionally, for your guests, you have the option of spreading your reception hours a little. You’d be surprised by how much difference keeping your business open an extra couple of hours can make for guests who are traveling from far. Indeed, keeping the reception open until 10 pm, for instance, can allow for late arrivals.
You could redecorate the place
Now that you’ve got the budget, it’s time to transform the decor of your rooms. As explained earlier, most guests choose a B&B for the quirky atmosphere. While many B&B owners can’t afford to invest in creative decor when they first open, it’s a good idea to prepare a list of inspiring ideas for your future interior investments. Think grandiose atmosphere with a Persian carpet, a large wall mirror and a four-poster bed. If you want something a little more rustic, use repurposed beams to create a focal point on the ceiling with a neutral palette. Or how about designing a palette for each room, such as create an aqua-inspired room, a fire one, and a lush green one?
Transform your breakfast approach
It’s in the name: Bed and BREAKFAST. Your guests expect a comforting and yummy breakfast that ticks all the boxes, from convenience to healthy. You can give your breakfast menu a twist by embracing some of the most popular trends. Traditional ethnic breakfast menus, for instance, mix Maroccan and Tunisian flavors to local veggies. However, for your fitness-obsessed guests, you might want to provide a protein breakfast with egg-white omelets and grilled vegetables. Finally don’t forget the yogurt variations, from honey-flavored to mixed fruit and nuts.
Everybody wants to stay fit
Fitness has become a huge trend in the hotel sector. More and more guests deliberately choose hotels that provide them with gym facilities. As a small B&B, you can’t compete with places that combine treadmills, saunas and pools. However, you can consider turning your conservatory into a simple fitness room. You only need a couple of machines and some dumbbells to create a safe fitness space. It’s also a good idea to provide a list of possible workouts to encourage your guests to stay fit.
You could reach out to your local attractions
Last but not least, most guests want to visit the town. Therefore, many B&Bs tend to gather flyers of the local attractions and city maps to help their guests navigate through the many options. However, as you grow your list of customers, you can approach local restaurants and museums to discuss the possibility of a discount for your guests. Indeed, travelers who book a room with you could benefit from a % discount on their restaurant bill or their museum tickets, for instance.
While Bed and Breakfasts are limited in size, many of them can improve their business image by considering all the little extras that transform their guests’ experience. From embracing a sustainable strategy to helping them to stay fit during their stay, there are plenty of options to level up your B&B.
